CD Reviews

Gospel's Hall of Fame

nadav haber | jerusalem Israel | 02/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are the recordings made by the Soul Stirrers in 1950, with R.H.Harris leading them. While the Soul Stirrers are mostly famous as the group that featured Sam Cooke, I believe that they were more exciting with Harris. The opening song is an amazing 5 minute version of the classic "by and by". Paul Foster and Harris exchange the lead building up to a great emotional climax. The group shows its traditionl "old school" gospel capabilities with "Jesus hits like the atomic bomb" - they can sing in this harmony style as good as any other group - including the Golden Gate Quartet. But the Stirrers were the groundbreaking group for the hard gospel style, immediately followed by groups such as the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Detroiters, and others. All the songs here are great, so full of emotion and musical skill. I think it can be firmly stated that no gospel fan can afford to miss this CD."

Before Sam, but....

. | Chicago, IL USA | 03/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you ever wondered, as I have, how Sam Cook(e) came so fully formed 'out of the box', this cd can help explain. Rebert Harris,(on this record approaching the end of a -13- year stay with the group), is the template from which the young Cook had access to attain his seemingly instant maturity. A must have if you already have the Cook stuff or not."

TRUE INNOVATORS

BIG 6 | GA. | 10/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS R.H. HARRIS AT THE PEAK OF HIS CAREER.ONCE YOU'VE HEARD HIS INCREDIBLE PITCH IT'S NO WONDER SAM COOKE WAS HAND PICKED AS HIS PROTEGE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE WAS THE INFLUENCE FOR SMOKEY ROBINSON AND EDDIE KENDRICKS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT IS THIS GROUP THAT THE TEMPTATIONS GOT THE IDEA OF USING TWIN LEADS FOR ULTIMATE CONTRAST AND FLAVOR."